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From the great space race of the ’60s to the invention of the Kia K900, humans have come a long way since the cave-dwelling days of their ancestors. Technology is the reason why. It’s in cars and trains, computers and refrigerators; it gives the world electricity in the dark and entertainment during boredom. It saves lives. It saves time. It’s constant, and it’s everywhere.

But what about the actual, tangible benefits technology has had on modern society? What results can you point to when making a list of positives and negatives? If you’re ready to be awed by machines, here are just seven ways that tech has left the world a little better than how it found it.

1: Effective Transportation

Cars have become so ubiquitous in the world that many individuals can’t even imagine life without them. They aren’t the only transportation to have changed the human environment, however. Anything with wheels or wings would’ve seemed like science fiction to early civilizations, and the prospect of simply climbing into something with an engine and being able to travel anywhere in the world? That would’ve been absolutely unthinkable.

2: Fast, Far-Flung Communication

It should come as no surprise that technology has vastly improved both the method and speed of communication all around the world. In the days of quills and scrolls, you sent off a letter and hoped for the best; in 2014, you can text, tweet, tumble, call, email, fax and “poke” if you have information that needs attention. What’s more, handheld tech ensures that you can do it all without even leaving the couch! This kind of convenience and open-access communication has allowed everyone in the world can connect, correspond and collaborate on a global scale.

3: Better Goods and Services

It’s an understood psychological truth that people behave better when they know they’re being watched. In an age where every customer has a mobile phone camera, businesses are under this scrutiny 24/7, and they’re forced to stay on their toes to keep their doors open and their lights running. If customers are treated rudely, they can log onto sites like Yelp and leave negative reviews. down detector . If they find dirty, objectionable conditions, they can take video and launch a viral exposé within a matter of minutes. Businesses that want to succeed in the 21st century must keep a constant eye on consumer satisfaction, and in turn, this means better products, improved services and enriched business-to-customer relations.

4: Streamlined Systems

Think about the last time you had to wait more than ten minutes for a cup of coffee. How frustrated did the experience leave you? Now imagine what it must have been like to live in the 1900s when all coffee beans had to be harvested and roasted by hand. Machines have made all the difference in how we perceive time and efficiency, especially in high-tech industries where streaming data is the norm and the Internet is the foundation of business. The automation of processing allows everyone to sit back and let machines do all the work. It’s a wonder to behold, though some people say it’s still worth teaching yourself how to make your own coffee.

5: Meaningful Exchanges

The world opened up with the rise of IT. Not only can people simply log onto their mobile phones to speak with friends from New York to New Zealand, but the quality of their dialogue has improved as well. The more you interact with someone, the more you understand them, and the more cultural barriers cease to exist. Positive, meaningful communication is shared. The U.S. government has already sent shuttles into space with greetings to other life forms who may be out there. Who knows? One day machines may teach humanity to speak to aliens.

6: Longer Lives

The average life expectantly has climbed by 50 years since the 1700s. Advancements in medical tech are mostly to thank for this, though you can also point to everything from better schools to improved agricultural systems. People are smarter now, capable of dreaming, building and creating complex machines, and their gadgets and gizmos have played a pivotal role in how they interact with the world around them. Men in 1790 were grateful to live until their forties. Men who only live to their forties today are considered tragic.

7: Improved Media

Satellite systems revolutionized the way people share information. For the first time, citizens could see and hear global events for themselves; all you have to do is look at the Kennedy and Nixon debate to see how that changed the future. The consequences go beyond politics, however, and also affect science, business, finance, schools, computers and the environment. No industry has been untouched or unshaped by the media. They may cope with its presence in different ways, but it has still become a part of how they operate.

These are just seven positive benefits that technology has had on modern society. There are many more, but it’s a long, exhaustive and ever-growing list, and by the time you catalouged them all, someone probably would’ve invented a new gadget that rendered everything on the list moot. Such is the power of innovation in the 21st century.

Summary:

Think you understand the positive impact of machines and computers on modern society? Technology has changed the world in millions of ways, but some benefits are more obvious and more meaningful than others. Between longer lives, better communication and convenient automated systems, you wouldn’t believe some of the far-reaching consequences of your mobile phone.

Applying a tool or idea to generate a result is the concept of technology. Although today’s technology often refers to electronics, applying basic science to everyday problems occurred as far back as the Stone Age. There are literally dozens of important milestones in rising technology, but some of the most recent inventions have made the most impact.
The Wheel

As evolution slowly developed human beings, they began basic engineering projects just to survive. They required an item to help them move themselves and objects around. The invention of the wheel provided people with an instant transport option. This era even brought about more intricate hand tools to both complement and fix this tech advancement. Using logic, humans found a simple way to haul items, creating one of the first forms of technology. Without the wheel, many buildings couldn’t be built and spreading populations may have never taken place. The wheel was one of the major milestones because of its simplicity and application in the everyday world.

Assembly Lines

The age of the combustible engine began in the late 1800s and into the 1900s. With Henry Ford’s tech marvel, called the Model T, almost anyone could take to the road and travel. Engineering the car wasn’t a simple undertaking and constructing them took time. With more people demanding vehicles, Henry Ford created an evolution all his own with the assembly line. One person or group constructed a piece of the car and passed it on to another group. By piecing out the work, the cars were formed faster than ever. The assembly line began an art form, heralding in the age of mass production that continues today.

Computers

Computers have been around for several decades, but were only common in business or government facilities. In fact, the first computers took up entire rooms with barely any computing power. They were mainly used to log data for science or government needs, making them impractical for the everyday person. However, the 1980s and 1990s saw a stark change in technology size. Computers invaded homes with ample computing power to log personal spreadsheets or just to play games. The computer era erupted into an even larger entity with microchip logic controllers growing smaller and more powerful. Computing that took up a whole room could now fit in your palm.
The Internet

With computers becoming standards in homes, the Internet became the next big milestone. Essentially, the Internet is a set of computers linked across the world for anyone to access. From art history to researching the Stone Age, the Internet is one of the most critical communication and information devices in human history. People are able to learn about true historical accounts or order a new pair of sneakers. This technology continues to evolve today.
Solar Power

Oil derived from fossil fuels has been used for ages, but environmental concerns had been brewing for years. A major milestone in technology use is solar power. Using fixed panels on roofs, for example, everyday homeowners harness their own sunlight energy to create electricity. Solar applications are countless, giving rise to other sustainable fuel sources, such as wind power. By using renewable resources, society and technology can continue to evolve.

GPS

Global Positioning Systems were originally constructed for government and war application use. As technology grew smaller and faster, manufacturers saw a niche in the consumer market. GPS has become a standard item in cars and phones, for example. Hikers bring their GPS unit on adventures to keep real-time information about location and elevation. This milestone gives people a fast and accurate way to find a location, obsoleting paper maps in the process.
The Search Engine

As the Internet grew in size, people discovered that finding information was difficult. Savvy computer scientists came up with the search engine. Using keywords and phrases, all Web pages were categorized and listed for the user as they typed in a search word. This milestone heralded in the era of strategic website text, called SEO Search Engine Optimization, as businesses competed for exposure. Marketing and advertising would never be the same.

Handheld Devices

Smartphones and tablets were not even considered in the late 1990s, but today’s milestone has changed how people communicate on a daily basis. Handheld devices hold the Internet in the palm of your hand. Information about any subject is always a tap away. question to ask Instead of starting a conversation while waiting in a line, people are accessing apps, games and websites to pass the time.
Social Media

The current milestone affecting society today is social media. From Twitter to Facebook, these socializing entities are more powerful than traditional war or wind power. People talk, comment, question and even advertise through social media outlets. They are important for both personal and business use, fusing the two realms that used to be entirely separate. With the ease of apps on a smartphone or tablet, social media travels with you at all times.

Society’s milestones vary from simple inventions to life-altering technology. Evolution will continue to improve life while hopefully preserving the surrounding world.

Summary:

Major milestones in the rise of technology go back to prehistoric times when people first formed the wheel. As society has grown and spread, technologies to connect people abound, from the Internet to handheld devices. Inventions continue to improve everyday life, typically building on a previous idea. As milestones keep occurring, people will find new ways to live and thrive with sustainable resources.

Technology has improved the lives of humans tremendously during the past decade. The technological innovations happening today are unparalleled in human history. We are seeing technological advancements in communications, medical sciences and education. However, not all these technological developments are having a positive effect on the health and well being of humans. We feel overwhelmed from the applications of technological advancements in our daily lives. It is important for us to understand the consequences, and learn how to deal with the negative effects of technology.

Most people are spending more time online than communicating with their spouses or co-workers. Humans are inherently attached to games and gaming devices. It appears we love our gadgets and their features than real humans. The negative effects of spending time online or on gadgets have been researched and documented by behavioral scientists. Unfortunately, the solutions to many of these problems depend on whether the patient is ready to take the pills.

1. Addiction to Smart Phones
The past few years have seen the acceleration of smart phones and other devices connected to Internet. These devices help us connect with the world on a 24/7 basis. They help us expand our knowledge and offer a real time window to world events. However, the constant interaction with these devices leads to health issues, depression and other serious side effects. This is more prevalent in teens and young people. People are carrying their smartphones in their bathrooms, bedrooms and dining rooms. Studies show that people experience extreme anxiety when they are detached even temporarily from their smart devices. For many people, a smart phone has claimed the spot of a best friend. We have become completely dependent on smart phones to check bank accounts, trade stocks, read books, send emails, make travel reservations, take pictures and videos, play games and network socially and professionally. We spent less time on physical activity leading to health issues.

Tips to Reduce Addiction to Smart Phones:
• Read a magazine or newspaper instead of reading from a smart phone.
• Limit the usage of mobile devices to specified time intervals during a day.
• Take your family to a movie instead of streaming video on your smart phone.

2. Increase in Use of Social Media
The introduction of social networking sites has impacted the lives of humans in both positive and negative ways. The negative impacts lead to suicide, depression, loneliness, loss of privacy and poor student grades. It is also impacting children in schools with their physical and mental health. Adults must show the way when it comes to limiting the use of networking sites. If parents are not limiting the time spent on online media sites or apps, then it is hard to control the behavior of children and students. We must offer resources to teens and students to help control the use of networking apps and websites.

Tips to Minimize Use of Social Media:
• Provide guidelines and resources at schools to minimize the time spent on media sites.
• Teach the benefits of old-fashioned face-to-face interactions.
• Control the urge to frequently check mobile devices for status updates.

3. Deterioration of Personal Relationships
The technological innovations have minimized the need for natural interactions between humans. We have reached a stage where we do not even know our next-door neighbors. Parents and children often communicate via text messages inside the same house. Behavioral scientists have pointed out the deterioration of personal relationships with the advent of technology. The advances in technology have negatively impacted family relationships leading to increased divorce rates and other psychological issues.

Tips to Improve Communication:
• Enforce rules to minimize device-based communication among parents and children.
• Encourage children to improve social skills and natural communication skills.
• Log the hours of physical activity. Monitor the log regularly.
4. Distracted Driving
The number of traffic accidents from texting while driving has increased substantially during the past few years. Many drivers are using smart phones while driving. A large number of deaths and injuries have been attributed to the use of mobile devices. The distractions from the use of technology include text messaging, use of navigation systems, streaming video, phone calls, and Internet browsing. The use of cell phone while driving increases the chances of an accident by 2.5 times. More than 1 million traffic accidents have been reported from the use of text messages. Today’s automobiles are adding more and more distracting technologies such as entertainment systems, Internet access, display screens, mobile apps and satellite radio systems.

Tips to Reduce the Effects of Technology While Driving:
• Use headphones while attending phone calls.
• Let other passengers operate entertainment, navigation and climate control systems.
• Educate drivers about the consequences of using mobile devices while driving.

We cannot deny the benefit of technological innovations in our modern life. However, we cannot also deny the negative impact of technology on our personal, professional and emotional lives. It is up to each and every one of us to control the use of technology. We must realize that technology should be used to help improve our lives instead of us becoming slaves to technological advances.

Summary
It has become impossible for us to detach even temporarily from our gadgets. Some of the negative effects of technology result from the extensive use of smart phones and social media. The deterioration of personal relationships is increasing at an alarming rate. The use of mobile devices behind the wheels results in deadly accidents.